Senator-elect Scott Brown of Massachusetts visited his new workplace this morning and seemed mighty pleased with his future surroundings and colleagues.

“I’m here, I’m having fun,” the nation’s newest political celebrity said as he beamed and toured Capitol Hill, consulting with his state’s two current senators, both party leaders and Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican and an early supporter. “I am meeting people that I have great respect for.”

Fresh from his amazing upset of the Democratic favorite in the race to replace the late Edward M. Kennedy, Mr. Brown was making more of a reconnaissance visit, since he cannot be formally sworn in until his victory over Attorney General Martha Coakley is officially certified.

He was welcomed enthusiastically by his new Republican colleagues and graciously by Democrats, even though Mr. Brown represents the end of their 60-vote rule and ability to overcome Republican filibusters from within their own ranks now that Republicans have reached a critical mathematical threshold.

“Henceforth,” declared Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, I will always think of him as 41.”

The exact timing of Mr. Brown’s installation in the Senate remains uncertain due to questions of exactly when the election can be certified back home. But officials of both parties said it could occur someday next week.
Contrary to fears among conservatives that Democrats might try to stall his seating in the Senate in order to sneak through a health care bill, Democrats say they have no intention of slow-walking Mr. Brown’s entry into the Senate or engaging in other political highjinks.

Senator Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat and majority leader, made clear that Mr. Brown would soon be casting votes.

“Well, we’re going to have an interesting time this year,” Mr. Reid said to Mr. Brown in a masterstroke of political understatement. “You’re going to enter the Senate at a time when the country is in deep trouble, as you know. That was a lot what your campaign was about. I look forward to working with you.”

Mr. Brown will become the only Republican member of the deep-blue state’s Congressional delegation and said that, despite his status as a new Republican icon, he intended to work with Democratic lawmakers from the state.

Sitting with Mr. McCain, Mr. Brown, a state senator, noted that he had a history of working across the aisle in the Massachusetts legislature, where Democrats controlled the vast majority of seats.

That included, he noted, backing the legislation that led to near-universal health care coverage in Massachusetts. But he added that the health care legislation “that was being pushed in Washington was not good for Massachusetts. It may have been good for other states.”

Senator John Kerry, the now senior Democrat from Massachusetts, said Mr. Brown personified the desire of state voters for change and that he was not shocked by the outcome.

“He’ll have his chance to vote for Massachusetts many times over the next few years,” said Kerry. “And that will define him.”

Mr. Brown, 50, was trailed by a throng of camera crews and reporters as he made his rounds and staff members took the opportunity to get a peek at the novice senator and his all-American good looks.

He acknowledged that he was caught a bit off-guard by his rock-star reception on Capitol Hill. “It’s a little overwhelming seeing you all here,” he told the assembled media horde. “I understand it will calm down and I can get to work. I appreciate everybody’s interest.”

Republican officials said no decisions had been made yet on what committees Mr. Brown would be assigned but that Foreign Relations and Armed Services were possibilities. His partial term would expire in 2012.

Despite all the hullabaloo, Mr. Brown said he was ready to take on his new role and that he had learned to perform under pressure during his years as an athlete.

“I’m just going to continue to be the same person I have always been,” said Mr. Brown.

Except now he also is the formerly unknown Republican who took over Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat, deprived Democrats of their 60-vote majority, drew the personal and unsuccessful opposition of President Obama, and redrew the political landscape headed into the 2010 elections.